The activity is being carried out under a lease agreement with NorthStar that gives Zeno Power access to specialized nuclear-grade infrastructure, enabling initial deliveries to government customers as early as 2027, followed by a planned ramp-up in production capacity and targeting the ability to scale nuclear battery production from 2028 onward.

The work is based at the Vallecitos complex, a 1,600-acre site established in 1957 that once hosted the US’ first privately owned nuclear power plant and held Power Reactor License No. 1 issued by the Atomic Energy Commission. The site historically supported reactor research, fuel testing, and isotope production. 

In March 2025, former operators finalized an agreement with NorthStar to carry out decommissioning and restoration of the wider facility. That remediation work will continue across the site in parallel with Zeno’s manufacturing operations within a designated hot cell area.

Decontaminated hot cells brought online

According to Zeno Power co-founder and CEO Tyler Bernstein, the Vallecitos site represents a foundational location in the history of US commercial nuclear energy, and the company intends to build on that legacy through its work on nuclear batteries for critical national missions.

The US firm has recently taken possession of initial decontaminated hot cells at the facility, which are heavily shielded rooms designed for the safe handling of radioactive materials. Non-radiological operations have already begun on site, while the start of radiological activities is expected later this year, pending regulatory approval.

The Vallecitos Nuclear Center holds existing decommissioning licenses from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and California regulators, along with rare hot cell infrastructure in the US. Hot cells are heavily shielded rooms that allow nuclear materials to be handled remotely using mechanical arms and lead-glass viewing systems, enabling safe assembly work involving radioactive components.

Zeno Power’s restoration of the facilities takes place within this licensed framework and existing infrastructure, while the company’s activities are also expected to support retention and development of nuclear-skilled labor as the site transitions through decommissioning and limited industrial reuse.

Company adds third location in California, citing regional talent base

The expansion is expected to draw on engineering, nuclear, and operations expertise across Berkeley, Livermore, and Silicon Valley. The new facility will be Zeno Power’s third location, complementing existing offices and laboratories in Seattle, Washington, and Washington, D.C.

Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert described the project as a significant development for the region, citing high-skilled job creation, the retention of specialized nuclear expertise at Vallecitos, and increased economic activity. He said the investment positions Alameda County as a hub for advanced manufacturing supporting defense, space, and commercial applications.

Katie Marcel, CEO of Innovation Tri-Valley Leadership Group, noted that the organization welcomes Zeno Power to the region as it develops its nuclear battery production capabilities. The planned manufacturing activity at Vallecitos is positioned within broader US efforts to strengthen domestic radiological and nuclear infrastructure amid rising demand for nuclear energy applications. 

The initiative is also described by the company as aligning with a White House’s executive order which outlines steps toward expanding the US nuclear sector. The company further notes that by using an existing licensed facility for production, the project contributes to ongoing efforts to reestablish parts of the domestic nuclear industrial base for long-term energy and mission-critical applications.

A new robotic system developed in China is being positioned as the world’s first intelligent squid-fishing robot, designed to replicate the precise hand movements used by human fishers to lure squid from deep waters toward the surface. 

By mimicking these subtle motions, the machine aims to improve both catch efficiency and consistency in challenging offshore conditions.

The robot is currently undergoing sea trials aboard the Song Hang scientific research vessel. The ship is scheduled to carry out an extended survey mission in the northwestern Pacific Ocean through September, giving researchers an opportunity to evaluate the robot’s performance in real-world marine environments.

Robot brings human-like precision to offshore fishing

Unlike conventional automated systems used on squid-fishing vessels worldwide, the new robot is designed to respond dynamically to squid behavior, adjusting its movements based on how the animals bite. This adaptive capability allows it to deliver a level of precision closer to that of experienced human fishers, potentially improving both efficiency and catch rates, the South China Morning Post reported.

The robot is being tested aboard the Song Hang research vessel, which departed on June 8 from Changxing Island near Shanghai. According to Chinese media, the vessel has embarked on a 90-day scientific expedition to study fishery resources in the high seas of the northwestern Pacific.

Developed by Shanghai Ocean University in collaboration with China Fisheries Zhoushan Ocean Fishery Co, the squid-fishing robot was deployed aboard the research vessel as part of its ongoing sea trials.

As the world’s largest seafood producer, China maintains an extensive distant-water fishing fleet made up of thousands of vessels, including squid boats operating across major fishing grounds worldwide, particularly near the South American coast. 

However, concerns have repeatedly been raised about parts of China’s distant-water fishing fleet, with critics citing allegations of illegal fishing, poor working conditions for crew members, environmental harm to marine ecosystems, and, in some cases, suspected espionage-related activities.

Targeting inefficiencies in squid jigging

Industrial squid fishing typically relies on a method known as jigging. At night, vessels deploy powerful lights that can even be seen from space to attract squid, which are drawn in along with their prey. Once the squid gather near the surface, lines fitted with bait are lowered into the water and rapidly jerked up and down to imitate small prey such as shrimp, triggering strikes before the catch is reeled aboard.

According to Chen Xinjun, a professor at Shanghai Ocean University and leader of the intelligent fishing project, traditional squid fishing depends heavily on crew judgment to detect bites, which can lead to inefficiencies and lost time during operations.

While many industrial squid vessels already rely on automated systems to handle repetitive tasks such as jerking fishing lines and hauling in catch, these machines typically operate on pre-set programs configured by humans according to local sea conditions.

Chen further explained that the new intelligent squid-fishing system goes a step further by using sensors and adaptive control. It responds in real time to squid behavior, including biting and escape movements, with the goal of reducing ineffective operations and lowering dependence on human decision-making during fishing.

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